Carilloneur Visits Plainfield

A small but appreciative crowd heard carilloneur Toru Takao perform Sunday at Grace Episcopal Church. The hour-long concert included works by Mozart and J.S. Bach as well as two Japanese koto pieces and a "Triptych for Carillon." The concert concluded with George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

The Pittis carillon is a gift from the Pittis family. The original two-octave carillon was dedicated in 1923. It was doubled in size by brothers Walter and Bertram Pittis and the second dedication was in 1976. For more information on the carillon, click here.

Carilloneur Toru Takao with Walter Pittis, left, and Albert Pittis, right. The young musician became interested in the carillon while doing volunteer work in Germany after earning a degree in German literature from Kwansei-Gakuin University in Japan. He received a bachelor of music degree for carillon and is studying for his masters degree in carillon.

The church will hold another carillon concert along with a peach festival in August. For more details, click here and scroll down.

--Bernice Paglia